Whether you have been married two months or 20 years, mastering the art of listening can help to improve your marriage and move you towards becoming a more effective communicator. If you and your spouse find yourselves struggling to communicate, perhaps you may want to try active listening.

Being an effective communicator involves active listening. Sometimes, we find ourselves getting upset with our significant other because we react on what we thought we heard.

Active listening in an effective tool to help ensure all parties understand the message to be conveyed. In my practice, I help couples learn to actively listen by having them take turns speaking, listening, and reflecting back to each other what they heard. Active listening may involve phases such as, “What I’m hearing you say is” or “What I heard you say is”. It is impossible to truly move towards problem solving until each person feels understood.

When talking to your spouse, try giving your undivided attention and repeating back to them what you understood without interrupting. If your spouse is reading this article too, try doing it together. How did you feel? Did you both feel heard?

You can do this. Being an effective communicator takes practice. Don’t be hard on yourself if you are trying to use more effective ways to communicate, but you find yourself resorting back to old habits. It took you a while to master those ineffective communication skills. So, consider seeking relationship counseling, and give yourself some time to learn new effective communication skills.

You have been thinking about it for quite some time, and now you have decided to take that leap and begin your talk therapy journey. If the thought of pouring your heart out to a complete stranger seems increasing daunting and you don't know where to begin, this post is for you.

As a licensed therapist and a client (yes, therapists have therapists too), I can relate to those feelings of anxiousness, and you certainly are not alone. When seeing a new therapist, it is normal to be apprehensive and nervous. However, the more you get to know your therapist and become comfortable, you will be well on your way to accomplishing your treatment goals.

In your search for a new therapist, you might find some really great therapists, but keep in mind, one great therapist may not necessarily be a good fit for everyone. So, don't feel bad if you don't click with that therapist your best friend swears is the best thing since sliced bread.

Here are a couple of tips to help you navigate finding the right therapist for you.

1. Ask aroundWhen individuals have good experiences with people, they love to talk about it. The same is true for bad experiences. Sometimes our friends can be a great resource for pointing us in the right direction. Just keep in mind, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to therapy. Your experience can be contingent on your goals and expectations. Telling a friend you are going to therapy might also be a great way to ensure you don't back out at the last minute.

2. Ask about your therapist's trainingCounselors are often more than happy to share their training and educational backgrounds with you, and don't be afraid to ask. Be sure to ask about licensure information, educational training, years of experience and special trainings or certifications. In Oklahoma, licensed therapists must have a master's degree and hold state license in behavioral health.

3. Trust your instinctsIf you meet with a counselor and you leave feeling disrespected or violated, it's time to keep shopping around! Counseling should provide a non-judgmental space for you to feel comfortable getting the help you need and deserve. Below are other signs you might want to keep looking for a different therapist:

Your therapist answers the phone in the middle of your session. This is a definite "No-No". You want someone that respects you and your time. If your therapist is distracted by his/her phone during session, it is certainly a red flag.

Your therapist is constantly late to your sessions. Once again, you want to make sure your therapist respects your time and showing up late for sessions, shows they are unprepared and have a disregard for your time.

Your therapist makes sexual advances or tries to have a relationship outside of therapy. This is not only unacceptable, but it is extremely unethical. Such offenses can be reported to the licensing board that governs the license held by your therapist.

Your therapist is a talker. Therapy is about YOU! Thus, any good therapist will spend more time listening than talking. You should also be free to speak without being constantly interrupted by your therapist.

4. Ask about your therapist's therapeutic approachYour therapist should be able to articulate his/her approach to therapy. You want to make sure his/her approach aligns with your unique needs. Don't be afraid to ask them to explain their therapeutic approaches and treatment methods.

5. If at first you don't succeed...try, try, and try againEvery therapist is different, and everyone's experience with therapy is different. If you don't find the right therapist on your first try, don't give up. It might take meeting a couple of different therapists until you find the right one that make you feel comfortable.